PET IDENTIFICATION

The Humane Society of Jefferson County strongly recommends getting your pets microchipped. Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and is able to be read by most universal scanners, so if your pet is found by someone and taken to a Veterinarian or shelter, they will be able to look up your information and reunite your dog or cat to you. Please remember to register your microchip after it is implanted. Not only can a microchip help bring a lost pet home, it can also serve as permanent identification in the event your pet is stolen. Ask your veterinarian about getting your pets microchipped.

Please don’t rely exclusively on microchips to protect your pet. In the event of accidental separation, proper identification tags are your pet’s first ticket home. Microchips provide an important extra level of protection in case your pet loses his or her collar and tags. Providing your dog or cat with both tags and a microchip can help ensure a happy reunion if the unthinkable happens and your companion gets lost.

What is a microchip? A microchip is a tiny transponder about the size of a grain of rice that uses radio frequency waves to transmit a unique ID number associated with your pet. They’re implanted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades.

How does a microchip work? The microchip itself does not have a battery or any other form of power supply. It is “passive.” The “passive” microchip is activated only when it comes in contact with an “active” handheld scanner used by a trained, animal professional. The handheld scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and displays your pet’s unique ID number on the screen. The ID number is input into the data base registry to get your contact information. They contact you and you can be reunited with your lost pet.

Now that I have microchipped my pet, do I also need to register him in a database? Yes! Simply microchipping your pet isn’t enough – you need to register the microchip and your contact details into a database so your information can be found in the event you are separated from your pet. Wouldn’t you want your pet’s home details registered on the most reliable, free animal identification database in the world? It is the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy, because it’s free for the life of your pet and can be used by anyone. No registration fee; no maintenance fees; no fee to update your contact information; no fees at all as long as you register your pet with FreePetChipRegistry.com.

How much does it cost to register my pet? Although many companies charge an annual fees to register pets, there is no cost to use FreePetChipRegistry™. You can register any brand of microchip, add as many pets as you like, and update your information for free online 24/7/365.

How do I complete an initial registration?

Go the FreePetChipRegistry.com home page and click on the “Register Your Pet Now” button. It’s at the top left hand side of the page.

Can a microchip replace my pet’s collar and tags? No. A microchip is a backup to collar tags, not a replacement. Your pet should continue to wear his collar and tags. The most important information on your pet’s tag is your current telephone number.

Does a microchip have a GPS tracking device? No. You cannot get information on a lost pet’s location directly from the microchip. It is only when your lost pet is found, scanned, and searched in an online registry that someone will be able to contact you. This is why it is critical to keep your contact information current in an online microchip registry.

It is a good idea to register your microchip at http://www.foundanimals.org/ also

If you do not have internet access you may also register your chip by calling 1-888-546-7615